Fixing fence is the one of the hardest jobs on a ranch. I no longer live on a ranch, but I do know what hard work is. Fences are everyone's concern, but nowadays,the "hole" is always your neighbor's side not your own. It used to be that you would respect your neighbor and mend the fence together. If their cows got in your field, a simple phone call resolved the problem. You might even saddle up your own horse and help them gather them up. We need more people who are willing to roll their sleeves up and fix the fence regardless of who your neighbor is.
There are people in this country who need to be reminded that a fence is like the way you should conduct your life. Your posts should be straight and neat. The wire needs to be stretched tight and your gate might be closed, but can still be easily opened. And most of all, we can all saddle
up together and ride the range, it won't matter if you have an Appaloosa, Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred. The cows still have to be gathered, fences have to be fixed, and the range is a wide open space of opportunity for us all.

"Choosy Moms Choose Jif" & Other Memories

Many of you will remember that nearly all of TV commercials were revolved around the "ultimate" Mom when we were growing up. She always knew the "right" brand of peanut butter to buy, the best laundry detergents and other household accessories.

We knew that Moms knew best, because TV said so. They tucked us in with Vicks Vapo Rub and Children's Aspirin when we had a fever. Our sheets and towels were soft With Downey and our shirts were bright white and starched to perfection.

Some things cannot be learned from a TV commercial. Being a mother involves more than just product placement. We are tested constantly during our children's growing up years. We take a beating emotionally when our children realize that there is a big old world out there waiting to be explored.

As we watch them walk confidently to the bus stop on their first day of school, we know that nothing will ever be the same. Their boo-boos will only require band-aids and not loving kisses. In their teen years, they become too big to sit on your lap to discuss their broken hearts.

It is only, when your children become parents themselves, that they begin to appreciate the calling of true motherhood. All of those stormy promises that you heard over the years will not come true. Their kids will not be allowed to stay up all night or go to the mall either just because someone else's mother let their friends do it.

Yes, the only thing that a mother can do for her children as they step out into the world, is pray. She can offer her counsel and set boundaries and hope that it will be accepted by her children.

And then, she must be very very patient and let go. She must trust that God will hold them in His Hands and keep them safe. Lots of Prayer and Patience.

We don't have forever to tell our mothers how much we love and appreciate them. We only have today.

I am so thankful for the Moms in my life. On the days that I get stretched so thin from work, home and life's other issues; I reflect on how fortunate I am-that my Moms are just a phone call away.

Appreciating our mothers is not about an expensive card, or dinner. They don't need diamonds or gift cards. They only need our company.

Hug your mother tight today. And be sure to include all of the other women who are mothers in your life too.

Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.

A couple corrections thanks to my In-House Editor.

Jif, Vapo Rub and Choosy

-- Posted by KH Gal on Tue, May 8, 2012, at 9:12 PM

Great Blog! Thanks so much!

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Tue, May 8, 2012, at 9:17 PM

"We don't have forever to tell our mothers how much we love and appreciate them. We only have today."

I agree, Mrs. Bird. My mom was killed by a drunk driver when I was 19, she was 37. There are so many things that I wish I would have said to her that I never did. My dad made fun of us if we said "I love you," and that "L" word was never used around the house. Us kids were suppose to be hardened, and that word was just wrong.

MY 2 boys know differently! And even if they get a little embarrassed in front of their friends, they still tell their mom and dad "I love you" :)

Thank you very much for this blog :)

-- Posted by KentuckyTransplant on Wed, May 9, 2012, at 1:31 AM

I wanted to write something inspiring. I hope it meant a little something different to everyone.

Thank you for your kind words. I have many friends who have lost their mothers in the past two years. The ache never quite goes away does it?

-- Posted by KH Gal on Wed, May 9, 2012, at 7:44 AM

The ache seems to diminish as it absorbs the riches of the time I had with our mother and other mothers I have known. After 22 years, I still miss Mom, and there are still things I don't know that I said to her and other things that I know I said and probably shouldn't have. But the memories keep popping up from time to time and thoughts like you so eloquently expressed in this blog solidify the goodness of the 40 years we had together.